Launched at Paris in 1968, Ferrari’s new 365 GTB/4 Berlinetta earned its unofficial “Daytona” name while still a prototype, in honor of the Scuderia’s electrifying podium sweep at the famous 24-hour race there in 1967. Now, as when new, the 365 GTB/4 remains the ultimate expression of the classic front-engine V-12 Ferrari GT concept, with its lean and aggressive, Scaglietti-built body universally acknowledged as one of Pininfarina’s finest designs. Early models had full-width Plexiglas headlamp covers, but stricter US regulations demanded the covered, pop-up arrangement fitted to all Daytonas from 1970 forward. The Daytona was hailed at introduction as the fastest production sports car in the world, with a factory-claimed top speed of 174 mph courtesy of its 352-HP, 4.4-litre V-12 engine. Road & Track’s Dean Batchelor photographed an indicated 180 mph at the wheel of one at 7,000 rpm and, even when the speed was calculated and corrected later, it still worked out to a “true” 173 mph. One of the first reports on the Daytona was penned by Le Mans-winning driver and journalist Paul Frère, who reportedly hit 176 mph in 1969. He also extolled the Daytona’s impressive total experience, characterizing it a “Grand Touring car par excellence.” Later, in the October 1970 issue, Road & Track declared "The Ferrari 365 GTB/4 is the best sports car in the world."

While intended from the outset as a fast road car, several 365 GTB/4s were raced by their owners to great effect and remained competitive long after most other competitors' cars retired. In fact, between 1970 and 1979, 18 Daytonas contested their namesake 24-hour race, resulting in five Top-10 finishes and two second-place podiums. The last included the GTO class win scored in 1979 by the Modena Sports Cars entry driven by John Morton and Tony Adamowicz. Not all of the Daytona's achievements were entirely legal, however, including an infamous top-speed charge by racing champion Dan Gurney and journalist Brock Yates on an Arizona highway during the second New York-to-Los Angeles "Cannonball Baker Memorial Trophy Dash," which inspired the wildly popular movie, "Cannonball Run." The Daytona was truly an important production model for Ferrari, with marque experts citing 1,383 examples constructed from 1968 to 1974, plus 121 open-air Spyders. Importantly, the Daytona represents the end of an era as Ferrari’s last front-engine, V-12, two-seat road car for more than two decades until the 550 Maranello in 1996.

Numbered 12815, this 1969 365 GTB/4 Daytona is documented in Hilary A. Raab, Jr.’s Ferrari Serial Numbers Part I as the 61st built in terms of chassis number. It was delivered new in Italy to racing team owner Corrado Manfredini, who together with partner Giampiero Moretti (Momo steering wheels) was among Ferrari’s best clients at the time. A European car most of its lifetime, the second owner registered the car in Monaco, and the third owner was a prominent Italian collector. In December 2005, the consignor became the fourth owner and imported the vehicle to the United States in 2006. The Spyder conversion was completed in Europe during the 1970s and it is readily apparent upon inspection that the work was properly and accurately executed. This is a “no-accident” Daytona showing an approximate 54,000 kilometres (less than 34,000 miles), which are believed original. Notably, the car still features its Italian libretto registration document in the window. It has been meticulously maintained by Fast Cars, Ltd. in Redondo Beach, California during the current ownership and is described by the consignor as mechanically excellent. Both body and paint are great, and the Euro-spec offers cleaner body lines with no side marker lights. The interior was expertly restored by Richard Pirics in 2006 and it still shows like new, including the mousehair dash. As offered, this Ferrari is a truly reliable, non-needy iconic V-12 Ferrari that starts on command, is very responsive, and easily provides a thrilling open-air driving experience.